Horsham Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Horsham poster

Every year in Horsham, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of West Sussex we gather around the bonfire.

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Horsham?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event, one of the incredible festivities and celebrations.

Why do people love these celebrations so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick rundown.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I while also attempting to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened and people have been celebrating bonfires ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact he was against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were both Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

The two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The king was present so the plan was to kill him.

The conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

The other conspirators were taken into custody once they learned of the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement and shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November as a way to be thankful.

Which eventually lead us to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its sinister origins.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because the focus is on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are experiencing today.

What should you wear to the events?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in different costumes during Bonfire Night.

It is quite an interesting approach that is being prepared for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great chance for most people to show off their winter clothing.

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you against the cold is more than welcome.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebrations of the night.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, and treacle toffee are all associated with the Bonfire Night.

These are eaten throughout the country and some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November as well.

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends or other family members.

There are some traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

People wear costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers at Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as it was a celebration of independence.

Most of the time, there is a firework display followed by a large bonfire.

There are attractions during the night.

There are many attractions and events in the UK.

Large bonfires and local events, food and drinks are shared with the community in the countryside regions.

Yes, for a lot of people Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other, like-minded people.

You will also get to see some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

There are some traditions that are common:

  • The country's biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. You are bound to find firework displays and bonfires all over the country.
  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook a lot of food. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. People eat a traditional parking cake on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake, and it is very tasty.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for the fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night continues, and has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to come together and enjoy some great foods.

It is one of the events that have impressed people in the past.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there's no denying that it's become a more community-friendly event over the years.

The most important parts of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Horsham Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Horsham, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Horsham Bonfire Night